The servants had taken her to a loose box, given her
a good clean bed of straw, and were feeding her with such delicacies as
she could be prevailed upon to take.
[Sidenote: Rory's Last Welcome]
"I had a sad journey home, thinking of the sufferings of my trusty old
friend. I shall never forget her joy at seeing me once more. The poor
faithful creature could not walk, but crawled along upon her stomach to
meet me when I entered the loose box, filling the place with her cries
of joy. She covered my hands with kisses, and then laid her head upon my
knees whilst I sat down beside her. She whined with a sort of
half-sorrow, half-pleasure--the first that she could not get up and show
me round the gardens as was her wont, the second that she was happy to
be thus resting in the presence of her beloved mistress. Around her lay
a variety of choice foods and tit-bits, but she was in too great pain to
feed except from my hands.
"Poor dear Bean! she looked at me out of her great solemn eyes. Those
dear loving eyes; with only one expression shining in them--a daily,
hourly love--a love in spite of all things--a love invincible.
"During those last few days of her life Rory could not bear to be left
alone. Her eyes followed me tenderly round and round the stables
wherever I went. Although constantly in great pain, I shall never forget
her patience and her pathetic conviction that I could always do her some
good, and she believed in the miracle which I, alas! had no power to
perform.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237